Survey sought for Whitney Hall land in Royalston

ROYALSTON – Peter Gagliardi appeared at Tuesday night’s Selectboard meeting to discuss a survey of some properties in the South Village, including Whitney Hall and neighboring parcels.

Gagliardi told the board he had been asked by fellow members of the Royalston South Village Revitalization Committee to look into potential reuse of the former school, which now serves as office space for some town departments.

“One of the things I’ve been asked to do by the group,” he explained, “is to look at housing issues and the old schoolhouse in particular. I’ve been looking at it for a long time.”

He said he had seen a rough draft of a plan, indicating the building could accommodate a number of apartments.

“What makes this a possibility is that the town owns other land that abuts the land that goes with the school,” Gagliardi said. “One of the problems is there’s no good survey of the land showing what’s what.”

Gagliardi said he was hopeful the Selectboard could find the resources to pay for a new survey of the property lines around Whitney Hall. He said he had spoken with a local surveyor to get a cost estimate, which he could then present to the board.

“But I can envision senior housing,” he continued, “and perhaps even a senior center like other towns have so there’s a place for people to gather, to go and get services, and a variety of other things. You wouldn’t have to build it. There’s already space up on the second floor.

“One of the possibilities is that by doing a survey for that particular property, with the intent of using it for senior housing, it could be paid for with community preservation money. I think what (the Community Preservation Committee) needs to hear is that the Selectboard supports doing it.”

He added that he had picked up the paperwork necessary for applying to the CPC for the funding.

Board Chair Bill Chapman asked about the deadline for submitting the application to the CPC.

“There’s no real hard deadline,” said CPC member Bob Casinghino.

The CPC usually meets in mid-January to start discussions on the proposals which it has received. He said the next meeting of the committee is Sept. 8, with the following meeting on Jan. 12.

Gagliardi said he would definitely plan to attend the September meeting of the CPC and then return to the Selectboard shortly after to discuss the best way to proceed.

Whitney Hall was constructed in 1905 and used as school and event venue for many decades. After the school closed, several town offices were moved into the building, but upkeep has proven costly and those offices will soon move to the former Raymond School near Royalston Common.

A Phoenix-based consulting firm carried out a marketing/feasibility study, which was presented to the town last year. The consultants estimated it would cost anywhere between $4.6 million and $13.2 million to renovate Whitney Hall, depending on its intended use.

Greg Vine can be reached at gvineadn@gmail.com.